With only three months to go before the revised driving test is introduced on December 4th, the Driving and Vehicles Standards Agency has released two new videos that explain a key element of the incoming test.
As well as a host of new features including revised manoeuvres and a sat nav-led driving section, the new test will also introduce a new format for the ‘show me’ questions.
As part of the current test, examiners ask you two questions based on ‘show me’ and ‘tell me’ before letting you set off. For the ‘tell me’ question, the examiner asks one of potentially 14 questions; for example, “tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.”
You are then expected to explain how you’d operate the indicator switch (turning on ignition if necessary), and then explain how you would walk round the car to carry out the check. For the ‘show me’ question, you are asked, say, to physically show how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
What the Changes Are While the ‘tell me’ question will remain at the beginning of test as before, for the new test, the examiner will ask the ‘show me’ questions while the learner is actually driving instead. Questions you will be expected to answer safely while on the move include:
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?’
• ‘When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?’
Why The Change? According to the DVSA, the change reflects the skills that are needed every day when out on the road and learners must show they are able to carry them out safely. Bear in mind that if you should lose control of the car during the ‘show me’ question, it will result in a serious or dangerous fault, leading to a fail. If you get answers to both the ‘show me’ and ‘tell me’ questions wrong, then a driving fault will be recorded.
To help fully understand the new format, the DVSA has produced two short videos to explain the change – we strongly recommend that you watch them to ensure you’re ready on the big day:
Practical Driving Test ‘Show Me’ Video
Practical Driving Test ‘Tell Me’ Video
With less than 3 months to go until the driving test changes, it’s important that learner drivers work with their driving instructor to make sure they can operate the in car-controls safely whilst they’re driving. Combined with practice with an instructor, these new official videos will help you learn the skills you need to do these tasks.”
– DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young.
For those of you who’ll be doing your practical driving test before the new test arrives in December, we’ve put together an extensive guide so you’ll know exactly what to expect when you arrive at the test centre – check it out here.